Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and newly elected President of Sri Lanka Gotabaya Rajapaksa at a meeting in Colombo on Monday have discussed bilateral relations, regional situation and matters of mutual interest.

On behalf of Pakistani leadership and nation, the foreign minister felicitated Gotabaya Rajapaksa on his election as the seventh President of Sri Lanka.

Shah Mahmood Qureshi also handed over a letter of President Arif Alvi to the Sri Lankan President inviting him to visit Pakistan.

The Foreign Minister on the occasion expressed the confidence that under the leadership of Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Pakistan-Sri Lanka relations will gain further strength.

He also appreciated the Srilankan people for valiantly fighting the scourge of terrorism.

The Foreign Minister pointed out that Pakistan has always stood by Sri Lanka in difficult times.

Shah Mahmood Qureshi said there is huge scope of promoting trade and investment relations between Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

The Sri Lankan President thanked the Pakistani leadership for extending him felicitation on his election and inviting him to visit Pakistan.

During his meeting with newly elected Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa,Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said Pakistan's political leadership under the vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan is determined to further develop bilateral relations with Sri Lanka.

During the meeting, bilateral relations, economic cooperation, issues of mutual interest including the overall situation of the region were discussed.

During the meeting, Foreign Minister presented a special letter of Prime Minister to Mahinda Rajapaksa.

In his special letter Imran Khan invited his Sri Lankan counterpart to visit Pakistan.